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Best July Fairs and Festivals for New Jersey Families

Submitted by Jaime Wisz on Mon, 06/26/2017 - 12:30pm

Fairs and festivals and feasts, oh my! It’s non-stop action in NJ this month—read on for our recommendations and choose your favorites. With everything from state and county fairs to music and food festivals—and of course, awesome July 4th celebrations—there’s something happening almost every day in July. Mark your calendar now, and have a blast all month long.

Berry lovers: be sure to check out our roundup of NJ's awesome blueberry festivals, many of which take place in July. And for more warm-weather action, visit our Summer Fun Guide.

Father's Day in New Jersey: 12 Fun Ways to Celebrate Dad with Kids

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Wed, 06/07/2017 - 1:00pm

Father's Day can be more than golfing and barbecues this year, with such a great variety of family-friendly activities happening across the state. Whether Dad prefers baseball or fishing, airplanes or the arts, our list of Father's Day happenings has something for everyone. Read on for our top dozen picks for celebrating Dad this June.

For more ways to have fun with fathers throughout the month, check out our playground guide, roundup of family festivals, and Event Calendar. And if Dad really has his heart set on golfing, there's always (mini) golf!

15 Awesome Water Parks for New Jersey Kids and Families

Submitted by Margaret Hargrove on Fri, 06/02/2017 - 2:46pm

New Jersey has several fantastic water parks, some of them right on the beach! From big-name parks and boardwalk favorites to the state's first municipal water park, we've rounded up 15 of New Jersey’s best water parks and an overview of what to expect from each one. We've even included a couple of fantastic indoor water parks to keep kids splashing on rainy days.

If you're looking for water fun on a slightly cheaper scale, check out our Best Water Playgrounds and Splash Pads roundup. For more summer awesomeness, visit our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.

20 Best Things To Do with Tweens in New Jersey

Submitted by Dore Duhaime on Wed, 05/10/2017 - 1:00pm

Your tweens may be too big for bouncy houses and tea parties, yet too young for solo outings with friends. But they still love family fun (even if they won't always admit it). To keep those in-betweeners happy and engaged, find an activity that sparks their curiosity or stretches their growing limbs. When a trip to your local playground is met with eye-rolling instead of cheering, it's time to check out these amazing activities for older kids in New Jersey. The good news? You may genuinely enjoy competing with your tween in bowling and mini golf, tackling the fast slides at a water park, or seeing a play or concert. Read on for 20 ideas that are cool enough for big kids.

Kids' Classes and Fun Family Activities at NJ Community Colleges

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Wed, 05/03/2017 - 1:05pm

Your child might not be old enough to head off to college, but there are plenty of offerings for kids at New Jersey's many community colleges. There are about 20 community colleges throughout the state, and they offer everything from music programs to STEM classes. We've put together a list of some of the best classes and enrichment activities for tots to teens. Some summer camps are noted, but for a longer list of options, be sure to check out our Summer Camp Guide.

Best Miniature Golf Courses for New Jersey Kids and Families

Submitted by Laurie R on Fri, 04/21/2017 - 12:10pm

Summer is on the horizon, and that means day trips, swimming, water parks, random adventures with the small people, and yes, putt-putt. New Jersey apparently has a thing for windmills and teeny-weeny pencils—our fair state has at least 53 miniature golf courses! We're highlighting nearly half of these courses, so get out that little pencil and make your way around the state. See websites for prices and hours.

New Jersey Art Studios that Encourage Kids To Play with Glass

Submitted by Alison Reiser on Mon, 04/17/2017 - 4:23pm

Broken glass at home often leads to warnings of keep back and be careful, but at a number of art studios across the state, kids are encouraged to play with the stuff. Don't worry, cuts and scratches are not involved. In these studios, kids (and adults) can cut, glue, blow, and fuse colorful bits and pieces of glass to make sun catchers, jewelry, picture frames, and other unique designs—often with the help of trained studio artists. We've searched out some spots with open studio times and classes where kids and adults can express their inner Chihuly.

Easter Bunny Brunches and Photo-Ops for New Jersey Kids

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 03/17/2017 - 2:03pm

It's not hard to make Easter 2017 an egg-stra memorable event. Grab your bonnets and bow ties, and hop on over to a fun photo-op with the Easter Bunny. We've got the scoop on where you can meet the long-eared guest of honor and take part in activities like bunny brunches, egg hunts, parades, storytimes, and crafts. Looking for a more straightforward meet-and-greet? Check out our listing of professional photo setups at malls throughout the Garden State. And if you'd rather take a train ride with your favorite hare, you can always hop aboard the Easter Express.

Take Your Little Devils to NJ Devils Kids Day (Giveaway)

Submitted by Jody Mercier on Thu, 02/23/2017 - 10:00am

My family goes crazy for sports. We love baseball and Sundays are definitely reserved for rooting on our favorite NFL teams, but our recent afternoon to see the New Jersey Devils was our first taste of the action-packed family-friendly entertainment of a hockey game. The fun afternoon has me confident we'll be heading back again soon. And you should too. In fact, we're giving away a family four pack to the upcoming NJ Devils Kids Day on March 19th. Read on to hear more about my family's newest sports passion and how you can enter to win.

New Jersey Roller Skating Rinks: Roll With It, Baby!

Submitted by Kaylynn Chiarel... on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 1:05pm

Ever wish you could travel back in time to the 1980s a la Marty McFly in Back to the Future? Maybe play Super Mario Brothers on a newfangled 8-bit Nintendo system while sporting big hair and neon clothes? Well, you don't need a time-traveling DeLorean to experience one tubular '80s trend that's back in vogue: roller skating rinks! They're the perfect place to throw a radical birthday party or spend a mega-fun afternoon indoors with the kids. Here are some rolling skating hot spots for your family to enjoy (spandex pants optional).